Graham Walker is the Founder and Director of Scapa Energy, an independent risk management and assurance consultancy based in Aberdeen. He runs the business alongside his wife and business partner, Stephanie, supported by a team of more than 20 consultants, all united by a shared passion for helping high-hazard industries manage risk and build capability.
“Running your own business is a different kind of hard work – you’re kept honest every day because if you’re not delivering to high standards every time, we’re not delivering against our values to make a difference with each of our clients.”
Graham’s journey into energy began at just 18 years old, when he joined Shell’s trainee technician programme and stepped offshore for the first time only weeks after the Piper Alpha disaster. That early experience shaped a career spanning nearly four decades, where safety, integrity, and helping people manage high hazard risk have remained a constant focus.
Early in his career, Graham experienced the reality of offshore risk first hand when a major gas release led to an explosion on the platform he was working on. It was a moment that reinforced the importance of strong safety practices, and the role individuals play in protecting one another – a theme that has stayed with him ever since.
While building his career, Graham was also committed to continuous learning. He completed an Open University honours degree in engineering and technology while working and raising a young family, followed by chartered engineer status and an MBA in Oil and Gas Management. This combination of hands on experience and academic development opened doors to senior roles across both industry and regulation.
After more than a decade with Shell, Graham went on to work on major projects with Scottish Hydro Electric (now SSEN), before joining the Health and Safety Executive as an Inspector. There, he led major accident hazard inspections and investigations, including high profile cases that reinforced the importance of asset integrity and robust safety management across the sector.
His career later took him back into industry with Talisman Energy, where he held leadership roles including Terminal Manager at Flotta in Orkney. It was here, alongside his deep rooted connection to Orkney, that the inspiration for Scapa Energy began to take shape.
Founding Scapa Energy marked a new chapter, driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact across the industry. Over the past decade, the business has grown to support operators and supply chain companies across the North Sea and beyond, helping organisations strengthen leadership, manage risk, and navigate complex operational challenges.
Looking ahead, Graham sees both challenge and opportunity in the energy transition. While the pace of change presents uncertainty, particularly in regions like Aberdeen, he believes there is a vital role for organisations like Scapa Energy in supporting companies through transition, whether that’s through organisational change, risk management, or supporting emerging renewable projects.
What excites him most is the opportunity to bring people together – creating communities of best practice where leaders can share insights, learn from one another, and collectively improve industry performance.
For those considering a career in energy, his advice is simple: don’t rule it out.
With rapid advances in technology, growing demand for power, and an increasingly diverse energy mix, the sector continues to evolve. It remains a global industry full of opportunity, and a place where individuals can make a real difference.
For more information on Scapa Energy visit: Scapa Energy | Your Independent Assurance Partner
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